Romeo and Juliet- Emotions and Moods

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Explain how Shakespeare conveys different emotions and moods in ‘Romeo and Juliet’ with close reference to Act one, scene five and Act four, scene three.

‘Here’s much to do with hate but more with love’ is the essence of the play as Romeo belongs to the Montagues and Juliet to the Capulets. Both are feuding families which brings the theme of love and hate to the story.

The play is a romantic tragedy set in ‘fair Verona’, Italy because, in Tudor times, Italy was seen as a country where a story of love and passion seemed more probable. The play appeals to all audiences from the educated rich to the poor who all enjoy a love story, as we do today.

Shakespeare brings many moods and emotions to the play and audience. Juliet is an intelligent and independent young woman who surprises the audience as they lived in a patriarchal society but Queen Elizabeth 1st was also an intelligent woman who was Shakespeare’s patron.

This timeless love story ‘Romeo and Juliet’ was written by Shakespeare between 1589 and 1595, during Queen Elizabeth 1st reign.

Act one, scene five is undoubtedly a scene in the play that carries many emotions and moods. It opens with the servants rushing around getting everything ready for the party.  

‘As thou lovest me let the porter let in Susan Grindstone and Nell.’

There is a lot of excitement as well as anxiety as the servants wait for the Capulet ball to begin and their own guests to arrive.  The servants are having their own party whilst their masters have theirs.

Capulet enters the scene in a very jovial mood that the audience is surprised to see as he is a bad-tempered man who is most of the time seen in an angry mood. He greets his guests happily,

‘Welcome, gentlemen! I have seen the day

That I have worn a visard.’

Capulet is glad to see guests wearing masks to his ball like he used to do in the day. Romeo, Benvolio and Mercutio wear masks as not to reveal who they really are. This brings an atmosphere of disguise to the party scene.

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‘More light, you knaves; and turn the tables up,

And quench the fire, the room is grown too hot.’

This creates a sense of foreshadowing. Three Montagues are at their family’s enemies’ party and the audience knows that this can only bring trouble.

Tension is built up when Romeo asks a servant who a lady is,

‘What lady is that which doth enrich the hand

Of yonder knight?’

Curiosity arises. Romeo and the audience what to know who this lady that ‘doth teach the torches to burn bright’ is. Romeo is daunted my ...

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